COUNTDOWN TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - Four-way battle for women's long jump title

by Raymond Graham, Freelance Writer

STAR SPORTS continues its countdown to the June 27-29 National Track and Field Championships with a look at the women's long jump.

WITH so many exciting clashes expected on the track at the National Championships, one field event which is expected to draw a lot of attention is the women's long jump, as four young women are expected to have the large crowd cheering for every attempt they make.

Traditionally Jamaica's women have not performed well at the international level in this event as only Trecia Smith who won gold in the triple jump at the 2005 World Championships has collected a major medal in a jumping event at the highest level.

Defending national champion Chelsea Hammond, Elva Goulbourne, Jovanee Jarrett and to a lesser extent, Nolle Graham will be battling for a trip to the Beijing Olympics. None of these athletes have reached the 'A' qualifying standard and a victory here will be very vital as only the winner could make the trip.

Unlucky Hammond

After winning last year the unlucky Hammond who had a leap of 6.87m did not make it to the World Championships. She did her attempt with a wind reading of plus 2.2 metres per second just over the allowable limit of 2.0 m.p.s.

Second placed finisher Goulbourne who had achieved the 'A' standard earlier in the year was selected. According to the rules if no athlete attains the qualifying standard then the winner will automatically be selected.

Hammond who was born in the United States to Jamaican parents and who was a multi -event athlete at the University of South Carolina is the leading Jamaican this year with 6.69m in Doha. Goulbourne (6.68m), Jarrett (6.66m), and Graham (6.55m) are just behind. All it takes is one good jump and these athletes will be hoping that the crowd will spur them on to the 'A' qualifying standard of 6.72m.

Former St. Jago High and Auburn University graduate, Jarrett, who missed competition last season due to ill health has shown good form this year and will have a psychological advantage over her rivals as she defeated both Hammond and Goulbourne at the Jamaica International Invitational meet on May 3 at the National Stadium. Earlier in an interview she stated that she is now stronger and more focused and stated that she will do very well.

Shadow of herself

Many time national champion Goulbourne, formerly of Dinthill Technical High School and Auburn University, has not looked her old self for the past few years. Goulbourne who has performed at several major Championships for her country is yet to find her excellent college form. A finalist at both the World Senior Championships and the Olympic Games where she finished 10th on both occasions she is the most experience of the lot and could find her form at the right time and outclass her rivals.

Graham, who has represented Jamaica at both the junior and senior level in the past will be hoping to create a big upset by upstaging her rivals. It is not beyond her but it is going to be a mammoth task if she hopes to be at the top of the podium.

Intense battle

With all ladies here knowing that a win is very vital if they do not reach the qualifying 'A' mark it should be very intense and hopefully the spectators will help them along by their prolonged clapping as this could motivate them all, and we could see at least three of them reaching that mark.

A tight finish is expected, but Hammond, the defending champion, is expected to retain her title with Jarrett just behind and ahead of Goulbourne.

Prediction:

1. Hammond

2. Jarrett

3. Goulbourne,

4.Graham.

TOMORROW: Women's 100m hurdles.